Alabama trying to end homeless camp in Huntsville

Saturday

Nov 2, 2013 at 12:01 AM

HUNTSVILLE | The state wants to close a tent city where homeless people live in Huntsville.

The Associated Press

HUNTSVILLE | The state wants to close a tent city where homeless people live in Huntsville. WAAY-TV reported that that people have been living in a large camp under an elevated section of Interstate 565 in Huntsville for years. But the Alabama Department of Transportation wants to break up the camp. Division engineer Johnny Harris says the public area under a road isn’t appropriate for long-term residents. The state says there have been several fires caused by people building fires to stay warm. There also are complaints that residents don’t have bathroom facilities. Homeless advocate Rusty Loiselle says the state is being unfair. He says the homeless people aren’t hurting the bridges. The state wants to move the camp by January. Loiselle hopes to build a camp with showers and sanitary facilities.